NTB Governor Urges Residents to Preserve Forests

Lombok Tengah, NTB (ANTARA) - Governor of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Lalu Muhamad Iqbal, has urged society to strengthen its commitment to preserving forest ecosystems and greening tourist areas in the region. ‘Care for the forest as we care for our own family. The fate of people down below depends on what our forestry officers do here,’ he said during a tree-planting event at the Air Terjun Benang Kelambu tourist area, Lombok Tengah, on Friday. Iqbal expressed concern after touring NTB, particularly Sumbawa island and southern Lombok, observing that forest damage has become a major trigger for various natural disasters harming communities recently. ‘A week ago we experienced three days of rain in a row; floods occurred at 14 points. All of this was caused by forest damage,’ Iqbal said. Therefore, coinciding with the Ramadhan month, he interpreted fasting as a moment to refrain from behaviours that harm the environment. He also asked forest rangers to regard forests as part of themselves and their families. As a form of support, Iqbal pledged to give greater attention to the welfare and working facilities of forestry officers in the future. He also emphasised the importance of a humane approach to nearby communities around the forests.